The best commuter bike: Road, city or single-speed?

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Information The best commuter bike: Road, city or single-speed?

Title	:	The best commuter bike: Road, city or single-speed?
Lasting	:	7.08
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Views	:	238 rb

Aboute commuting From home to work I want a singlespeed From work to home I want a 14 speed 🙂
Comment from : Jos van Zetten

I ride a single speed everyday and i love it No fuss, goes fast It's a delight
Comment from : Jacob Harris

in my experience, a single speed bike will only ever make you do not use your bike, if you do not live in the netherlands or the north, where it is totally flat terrain
Comment from : miko007

perfect for its intended purpose: value, comfort, speed, practicality
Comment from : woodpile20

Single speed seems really appealing to me I like using things that are simplified it forces you to think outside of the box Going to pick up a really cheap $200 one to get a feel for riding to see if I’d want or need to upgrade in the future to something like a gravel bike with 8 speeds
Comment from : Dylan Rotich

Crack cocaine and crystal meth is a miracle drug for cycling ❤
Comment from : John Vuong

Singel speed you put out much more effort between start and stops
Comment from : Oal

Great vid Please consider using Miles as well in your videos thanks
Comment from : crazywisdom2

I love the 3 speed but its so loud always seem to swap back to single speed coaster brake for the quiet ride You can also put better rear sprocket 20-22T for easier pedaling!
Comment from : RER AMU

Right so on the gear for this bike, if you've taken it on the occasional hill where with various other muti-geared bikes, like hybrids, you pretty much have to do stand ups, how does that leave you with this gear on this bike for those hills? Also what's the make of this one? I'm assuming that for some of the hills around here for circuits I do, I'd be looking at workarounds for some of the hills, and if worse came to worse I'd hop off and do a run up No shame in that without the lower gears for climbing
Comment from : Derek Jolly

Commuting is not about speed for me I want to arrive safely, without sweating too much and without any other discomfort The only bike out of the 3 that fits that bill is the city bike The road bike and SS have way too skinny tires which is a safety risk (think tram rails) and uncomfortable and the riding position is made for hard riding where not all of the weight rests on your hands When you ride slower to avoid sweating, you'll be uncomfortable
Comment from : Andromedarr

No The end
Comment from : Keyboard Urbanist

The only advantage I can think of with a single speed is the ability to get a belt drive They never rust or get worn down by mud/grime, and they don’t need to be lubed or anything Other than that, give me a 7 speed minimum
Comment from : Beastleviath

I recently bought a single speed I actually find it slows me down because the ratio this particular bike came with is a ratio I find a bit easier This is good for enjoying the ride more and not getting as sweaty I think if you did a commute on a single speed everyday you would get stronger and find the ride less tiring, but on a geared bike you would just go faster
Comment from : Mark on the Weekend

Single speed's efficiency relies completely on the gear ratio, though it IS possible to swap the sprocket for either easier pedaling or higher speed (I assume, I might be wrong)
Comment from : Lidge1994

What are the calories burned in each or heart rate so I could compare on which you spend more effort to those speed numbers
Comment from : Burak Baysal

Road
Comment from : Onoblingo Aeiou

there is no bike safety in our cities, doesn't really matter what you ridding on
Comment from : Kevin

Inner gears dissipates more, that's the reason of the extra time required
Comment from : mrcelada

I am not sure if I keep missing the part where recommendations are given Please suggest something to buy I am so tired of googling I am sold on a comfortable bike Not speed not looks, just comfort
Comment from : sumethingsumething

The faster is not more efficient Wind dissipates energy to the third power of the velocity
Comment from : mrcelada

Thanks for the review, I had no idea such bike existed and if they were even practical For protecting older knees, I'll stick with gear ranged bikes
Comment from : test40323

Shifter rides a bike without shifters ^_^
Comment from : Dellvmnyam

The low maintenance of the single speed would definitely be a huge plus for it, would be a good bike for shorter, mostly flat commutes/errands
Comment from : Definitely not a crab

I missed the stats on the electric bikebrI rode a friends fat tire ebike I thought it would be difficult to pedal NOT AT ALL!brOn the way back I checked out the e button first time ever WOW
Comment from : doogiedoesyoutubable

Rode a fg as a commuter for years I've got a geared hybrid, rb, mtb and fg Find myself always opting for the fg Just love riding it
Comment from : jones jones

I'm in a flat city, and I make the same speed on my single speed as I do on my other bikes My single speed is my "winter bike" with big knobbies (29" wheels) and I still make the same speed, lol Your theory about cadence might have a lot of validity
Comment from : Jarl Prae

I don't mind any of those bikes because any day I'm out on a bike is a great day and probably why my nickname is bike tart 😂
Comment from : ZigZag

I remember when I was in my twenties I definitely preferred the simplicity of single speed bikes and they were also cheaper I also felt faster on the single speed but this was before I learned how to shift However, I do live in an area of Cleveland called the Heights and there was this one hill on my commutes home from the store that I just could not climb so I either avoided the hill or I had to walk it The first time I was able to climb that hill was when I purchased a bike that had an automatic transmission (I think that's what it was called) It would automatically shift gears whenever my pedaling sped up or slowed down That was probably the last time I rode a single speed Anyway, this idea that certain bikes make you sweat more I think is only partially true I ride a fat bike as my daily commuter and there's no way I can ride that bike without a workout but that is by design A road bike on the other hand it can be a workout if you want it to be and I do feel people have a certain mindset when they're on a road bike that they have to go fast But, I've gone out on leisurely rides on road bikes where I didn't work up a sweat After all most road bikes have a wide range of gears where you can make your ride as challenging or as leisurely as you want
Comment from : Chad Myles - The Cleveland Cyclist

I find the two speed kick shift to be ideal, because it offers the simplicity and good looks of a single speed with the convenience of a climbing gear Very fast commuting bike!
Comment from : Joan Smith

I would call that statistically insignificant
Comment from : Robert Peters

Sounds like no hills on the commute
Comment from : SolarizeYourLife

I ride a hybrid bike that I converted into a single speed and i routinely pass multi speed bikes
Comment from : demented_cycles

hardtail mountain bike is the best commuter bike, can go quiet fast and can easily take on hills
Comment from : Art Diary

Is it pretty easy to hit 15 mph on a single speed? I feel like it would be without much effort
Comment from : OMENS

İ just changed my 18 t disk to a 21 now its easier
Comment from : Mohamed Alhaneef

simple vs complexbrcheap vs costlybrtime saving vs time consumingbrtougher to ride vs easier to ride
Comment from : SmokeyVlogs

trying to find a normal single speed bike, but I only seem to find mostly fixed bikes available which I’m not a fan of
Comment from : That1GuySal

Best alllround commuter- fulldamped gravelracer Best Tarmac-commuter Racerbike
Comment from : Erlend Sæteren

I thought I would need at least a 3 speed, but I found a great deal on a single speed cruiser, and I absolutely love it! I only do about 4 miles each way, with a couple of moderate hills, it's really not too bad
Comment from : jeff gray

I always believed in gears on a bike especially in a city like New York ,I would attack a commute,like the our de France having at least one mirror and a speedometer to track distance,time and speed
Comment from : BKDUB

What I realized from the comments is that y'all have JACKED thighs (Meanwhile I struggle to even make 6 kmph)
Comment from : Malaz Karar

It's because of traffic lights, duh!
Comment from : ElectricDreamer

This was really helpful! Thank you!
Comment from : K R

Broken ebike single speed for sure
Comment from : gliderman

Considering buying one myself, will most likely end up getting a single speed bike
Comment from : Víctor Martínez

If getting single speed is only because I will end up being faster I can achieve the same with my geared bike riding it on one speed Otherwise whether less maintenance, less expensive, and lighter is worth the limitation of riding only on flat terrain without wind is up to your to decide For me it's not worth it
Comment from : 3dEmil

It seems like after you add in the shower time with a road bike or a single speed, the 3-speed cruiser might be faster! :)
Comment from : Cathie K

my MTB (daily commuter bike) which is super budget and cheap (around 100dollar US) was down with a broken RD, since I don't have time and money to replace it, kinda DIY it to make it work with single sprocket, which was supposed to be a temporary fix become permanent as I really enjoyed the single speed setup
Comment from : Ngaran

I'm using a new E-bike right now to save on gas, but after I get used to it I might get a good single speed
Comment from : Graveyard Shift

After some careful considerations, I have decided to get a single speed bike for my daily commute (6km one way) The chosen bike brand offers me to customize the chainring-sprocket gear ratio Four options on chainring - 45, 48, 53,55 - and three on sprocket - 16, 17, 18 The route is mostly flat (<3) except for a steeper section (250m) at one end of the route What would you recommend?
Comment from : 90 minutes euphoria

I have a nice carbon fiber Fuji road bike I’m considering an urban/commuter bike brAluminum frame with 700 x 28 mm tires Belt drive with Shimano 8 speed rear hub Disc brakes I dunno about mechanical or hydraulic brakes
Comment from : Dave Haggerty

Singlespeed is bad on windy areas
Comment from : Služba za organizaciju centra za zavod U prevodu

Sadly one speed is not good for me I live in a hilly place I don't want to destroy my knees by climbing those steep hills everyday
Comment from : Avelio

I only need two or three speed in my range, as the manufacturer doesn't know my range I need an 8 gear Only disadvantage as I use only a couple gears is when I got one of my kids on my shoulders the wear and tear shows and my chain is skipping a couple beats which is a little unnerving
Comment from : YouTuber

I know it's a relatively old video and this comment will be buried but I just want to add my 2 cent here since I've commuted by bike in quite a few countries br1 Use a bicycle that makes sence for you in the city you live in (don't use a single speed or a Dutch bike in a city/town with countless steep hills or varying road conditions) br2 Salt is your bike's enemy always clean and lubricate your chains (be it winter cycling in places that uses alot of salt or if you commute near the ocean) br3 if you use a back pack wash them as frequently as possible
Comment from : M L

They were , that is before some cleaver chap invented and manufactured gears for bicycles, a revelation still unknown to some
Comment from : P Wood

more gear is easy riding not faster comparitively
Comment from : Aryan Bairagi

It is rare to see 7 gears in car manual transmission So putting 21 gears on regular bikes is a bit overdo
Comment from : Carson Ho

My single speed is awesome,I ride to work some daysI tried my mountain bike (9 speed) for the same commute one day and it was harder work,yes its heavier and big tyred,but I thought the gears would counteract thatbrIt was sheer tortureSo the singlespeed takes away your options,pedal or walk
Comment from : Paul Lacey

I live in a city and region with hills If you are using strava you should be able to post your elevation gain on the commute Without knowing this the info is pretty useless for anyone who doesn't live where you do
Comment from : Frank Vehafric

Not in Bristol, too many hills
Comment from : Michael Sterckx

A mild incline appears!brSingle speed is paralyzed
Comment from : River

You know what is really interesting? Single speed bikes tend to be more expensive compared to a 6-7 speed city/trekking I don't understand why
Comment from : Egyenes Kifli

depends on hills in Detroit yeah
Comment from : Technodrone313

This science experiment is more of a test on the psychology than it is a test of different types of bikes I don’t know anyone who assumed that the gears on a bike determined the speed of the trip The presence of gears only change the work being done and the efficiency of the ride is entirely dependent on the rider’s preference brWhen on an incline, the question that should be considered is “how fast do I want to go?” And “what kind of work am I willing to exert to accomplish this speed?”brPedaling with the same pace and force on all variable terrains means you will utilize multiple gears and your speed will be dependent on the incline brFor myself, I prefer to commute as comfortably as possible, and even the slowest speeds that I experience on a significant incline is quicker than walking brFor those who prefer to mitigate the amount of force needed to ride a single-speed on an incline by using lots of momentum, be careful out there 🚴
Comment from : firebolt100

I’m looking at the Brompton A line and the dahon mariner d8 Do you have any experience with these folding bikes? My ride involves a train and some hills Both these bikes are at similar prices but are fairly different Thanks
Comment from : MATTHEW brady

I commute on a fixie (with front brake) or a road bike And absolutely the time saved on the road bike is about one minute each way, but it's lost with interest on time spent maintaining it!
Comment from : Adam Charles

While I really like your approach to urban cycling I have to emphasize function over form brbrThe purpose determines the style For short commutes, getting on and off buses with bike racks go single speed Longer commutes or hilly rides go geared I personally have found single speed works for most situationsI live in North Vancouver essentially the side of a mountain Even so, for quick rides with steep inclines, I simply hop off and pushI can't whip up a hill even on a geared bike It's hard to stop and start on any steep hill no matter the bikeFactor in lights and traffic and your bike speed is determined less by the style of bike and your fitness than by where you are riding to and fromI apologize if you have already covered this
Comment from : square root 3

If you need a reliable a to b ride get something single speed, get a steel frame so it lasts forever and is a comfortable ride, and if you need any proof as to fancy derailers being a hinderance go look at the most common bicycles in The Netherlands Most are upright single speed or internal hub with coaster brakes and a good set of fenders
Comment from : themadscientest

To be honest, I rarely shift on my geared bike anywaybrCity riding
Comment from : Shuyi Ng

Single speed is wayy lighter without the other components, that's why it is faster and closer to the road bike if you have an aluminum road bike Don't have to worry about shifting and cross changing etc causing pedal strokes to be less efficient
Comment from : Brian Murray

With my single speed, I just got used to the hills
Comment from : The Bolt Down

I have 2 Singlespeed bikes One is 35 year Old "market" bike where I can lock n park anywhere when I go supermarket The other one, a titanium-frame bike, I go riding with my buddies in flat, flat Singapore I can do 75km with it Yes, Singlespeeds need little maintenance Your videos are good Thanks for sharing!
Comment from : Jason Loke

I just recently purchased a single speed as my 21speed bike got a flat that “forced” me to ride it a good amount of miles home on Christmas Day as I was expecting family over, so you gotta do what you gotta do I’m great full that the rims were not damaged, but on fixing the flat there were three in all, but the third one was on the hard flat part by the Valve which is not able to be fixed with a patch, so that tube was done While the bike was unusable from that point on I s ordered 2 tubes, and the next day I went walking thinking about purchasing a single speed bike, and happened upon a bike shop I’d past hundreds of times before without realizing it was there as I was always flying by focused on my destination I saw it from across the street and literally took a picture for future reference, but decided you know what let me pop in and ask what they had in store I explained what I wanted and thankfully the shop had exactly what I was looking for and it has been better than I expected it to be on several fronts Bomb proof as far as not having to deal with finicky multiple front and rear rings/cogs as well as ditching an unnecessary front suspension, and seat post suspension which I haven’t noticed a difference in the negative not one iota And the bike is lighter which is so appreciated when I lift it for whatever reason Also a cleaner look with less wires is another plus along with them having dual caliper brakes as opposed to what I had before which was v-brakes They are a much better look if not the same stopping power, but functional enough which is good enough for me You have the opportunity to be more athletic more often as standing to pedal is done more often with a single speed than having 21 speeds which really no one uses all of those maybe a third if you are really actively clicking through them in a ride, but not needed/missed magically somehow when it is not an option to power down or up as you control it all within your legs
Comment from : Buffalo Mind

The best bike IMO is a three speed beach cruiser It has most of the benefits of a single speed with the benefits of getting start/ getting up hills easily!
Comment from : Life with Joey

Your investigative reporting on this most important subject makes me realize how ridiculous the subject isbrRide the bike that looks and feels bestbrFind a subject of value to report on
Comment from : Frank Ducett

Who makes your 3-speed bike with the internal gear-hub? And what model is it?
Comment from : Witch Please!

Hey just getting into your videos, so I know I’m 2 years late on this one I couldn’t help but notice you use a backpack with the road bike and a pannier with the city bike? Wouldn’t the sweat assessment be different if you had a rack for your road bike? I’m a roadie at heart, and have one that takes a rack no problem, but commute on a single speed, so maybe I’m just offended that your choice seems to be the one style of bike I don’t own Lol
Comment from : Jon Jurgens

Single-speeds are ok if you drive (passengers "ride") in flat land On especially steep hills, they are the bane of your existence Gears were invented to allow uphill ascents without having to dismount and walk it
Comment from : Englishkin

The irony of the channel "Shifter" advocating for singlespeed riding 🤣
Comment from : Galen Kehler

Single speed is cool
Comment from : David Leal

only get a ss if you live in a 100 flat city, and don't plan on riding fast
Comment from : DC Mac

How about a back pedal brake instead of breaks on your handle bars These are almost indestructable Ideal if you need to store your bike a lot in unprotected spaces On the subject If you live in an flat area, no gears is fine For very windy conditions in open terrain, it could be confortable to have a few gears No gears, means less things that break though
Comment from : Casper Egas

Don't get me wrong, I like speeds they brought me to mountain pass and thousand km long rides But my fixed gear has gone through the worst conditions and I barely have to do any maintenance (light chain clean and regrease every 2 weeks, thorough one every 6 months), and the chain lasts an insane amount of km compared to my 11speed gravel bike (05 distension at 15k km atm vs around 3 to 5k for the same thing with the gravel) brbrI have an huge wald front panier so sweat isn't much of an issue Unless I ride very fast, being in light clothes for the season without a backpack is enough to avoid most of it
Comment from : LeDore38

Fixed gear (with front brake) was my favorite commuter for years (30 km per day) I ride fast (shower at work) and started with my old MTB with a special road wheel set The Dutch wet weather, dirt on the roads, salt in the winter was killing for the gears If you arrive at home at a cold, wet and dark winter evening, the last thing I want to do is bike maintenance So I switched to fixed gear and it was the best choice ever! Good training for my weekend MTB ride, a really Zen experience (no rattling, noise etc) and weekly maintenance (apply some lube to the chain) was sufficient! Of course the Netherlands is flat, so I only had to battle wind and rain and snow sometimes And bridges…
Comment from : J D

how about a folding bike compares to those 3 bikes?
Comment from : Ibnu Ghazali

It makes little difference on how long it takes to get to work Now leaving work is where the speed matters!
Comment from : Dan Bolton

I love my single speed, had mine for 11 years now i've gone through so many bikes, from road bikes, front / dual suspension bikes, down hill bikes and I ALWAYS go back to my single speed I reckon its that nostalgic factor, the memories of being a kid on a BMX I love that there is a speed thats comfortable, so you hit it and stay at it Around Sydney city , its a blast
Comment from : Simon Wilde

How the heck was your sweat factor higher on the road bike!? You must have just wanted to pedal it fast or something lol When I ride with friends 20 or more miles I typically take my mountain bike, my road bike is effortless to keep up with them no workout at all
Comment from : vulpixgrant